GRADED RESPONSE ACTION PLAN (GRAP)

Oct. 9, 2019

Starting October 15, some stricter measures to fight air pollution will come into force in Delhi’s neighbourhood, as part of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).

About:

  • Timeline: Approved by the Supreme Court in 2016, GRAP was notified in 2017 by the Centre and draws its authority from this notification.

  • Bodies involved: The plan requires action and coordination among 13 different agencies in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan (NCR areas). At the head of the table is the EPCA, mandated by the Supreme Court.

  • Working:
    • GRAP works only as an emergency measure. As such, the plan does not include action by various state governments to be taken throughout the year to tackle industrial, vehicular and combustion emissions.

    • When the air quality shifts from poor to very poor, the measures listed under it have to be followed since the plan is incremental in nature.

    • If air quality reaches the severe+ stage, GRAP talks about shutting down schools and implementing the odd-even road-space rationing scheme.